Nonspillable primary battery with liquid electrolyte



Sept. 4, 1934.

G. W. HEISE NoNsPILLABLE PRIMARY BATTERY WITH LIQUID ELEGTROLYTE l Filed June 28. 1929 mun.' I

4INVENTOR BY q' l n y ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE NONSPILLABLE PRIMARY BATTERY WITH LIQUID ELECTROLYTE George W. Heise, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to National Carbon Company Inc., a corporation of New York Application June 28, 1929, Serial No. 374,519

6 Claims. (Cl. 136-86) This invention pertains to air depolarized anodes broken away to show the intertting relabattery cells and more specicially to means for tion between the insulator and the battery elesealing a uid electrolyte in such a cell and for ments. admitting depolarizing air through the seal. One embodiment of the present invention may Heretofore the. uid electrolyte of an air-debe that shown in the accompanying drawing 60 polarized battery cell has suffered such disadwhich comprises a container 10 of iron that may vantages as spillage, deterioration through abbe provided with one or more stiifening beads sorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and 11 formed in the sides thereof, and an inturned evaporation, all of which made the cell less decover supporting bead 12 extending therearound 10 sirable. In certaintypes of wet cells, oil may near the tOp. Fitting snugly Withinthe ,upper 65 be placed on the surface of the electrolyte to preend of thecontainer 10 is a sheet iron cover 13 vent evaporation and access of carbon dioxide, resting 0n the inturned bead 12 and having its but this is not immediately feasible in air-deedge 14 turned upward and held by the crimped polarized cells, since the cathode which protrudes edge 15 of the container 10. This method of at- 15 above the electrolyte surface soon becomes lled taehment holds the @Over Securely in the tup 0f 70 with oil, the entry of depolarizing air is prevented, the eentainel and at the Same time the '60p 0f and cell operation is seriously impaired. For the C0ntainer'is stiiened and a reeess iS prefv cells which are not to be moved about, some provided therein fer a purpose that Will be described tection can be secured by mechanical means, but presently. these complicate construction and usuallybecome A rectangular Opening iS provided in the Center 75 inoperative in case 0f spillage or upset; hence 0f the COVGI 13 and themetal removed thereflOm lthey are of little value in portable cells. Means is divided and bent dOWnWaId along eaeh side have been employed for automatically replacing 0f the Opening thereby forming Opposed ears 16 the evaporated electrolyte but this is undesirable and 17- A Cathode 18 is Secured in said Opening as it complicates the cell which still requires comby tWO bOltS 19 and 20 that pass through said 80 paratively frequent attention and, with all these Cathode and Said eaI'S 16 and 17 thereby Clampexpedients, the electrolyte is still subject to spillving them t0 the cathode 18. The cathode 18 exageh tends downward into the containerfar enough Therefore, one object of thisinventionistoprot0 dip the required distance into an electrolyte vide means for sealing a uid electrolyte in an air that Will be described later, and upward thrOugh 85 depoiarizd battery ceu and for admitting desaid cover a short distance into the outer air. polarizing air to said battery cell through said seal The Cathode 18 is carbon 0r a carbonaceous without letting the electrolyte out. Another obmaterialnand a binder, molded into blocks of ject is to provide an air depolarized battery cell Suitable SlZe and Shape. These blOekS are Waterthat may be manufactured and shipped in a dry DrOOfed by impregnation with a solution 0f paraf- 90 conditign and then activated by the addition of iin and carbon tetrachloride, and the solvent is water at the time it is p1aced in service. Another removed by heat- The cathode may be prepared object is to provide an air depolarized battery cell in Ways other than the abOVe and Oil may be used of more rigid construction in which the elements in place 0f the paraflin f01 the purpose 0f Waterthereof are supported at both the top and bottom D1`00111gv 95 so the battery may be Shipped in assembled con- The container 10 and the carbon, electrode 18 dition Without danger of itsv being broken or are electrically connected. The terminal 31 is damaged during transportation stili other aims,v connected to the iron container for purposes of objects, and novel features will be apparent from convenlence Although there 1S a Closed path 45 the following description and the accompanying through the eleetrlyte between the Carbon elee- 100 illustration in which: trode and the iron container so that an electric Fig 1 is a transverse Vertical Section of my current. flows therebetween in case they are-at improved battery ceu; diierent electrical potentials, this difference in Fig, 2 is a View of the top of the Same showing potential `is so small the current is negligible. the position of the electrical conductor connect- This electrical connection between the carbon 105 ing the two anodes; electrode and the iron container is customary in Fig'. 3 is a side View of the insulator that lsup- Cells 0f this type. Cells of this type should be ports the lower end of the battery elements, and; distinguished from dry cells in which the outer Fig. 4 is a side view of my improved battery container is of zinc and forms one of the eleccell with part of the container and one of the trodes and any electrical connections between 110 the outer container and the carbon electrode short-circuits the cell. In the cell described herein this is not the case. The electrical potential is between the zinc electrodes 21, 22 and either the carbon electrode 18 or the container 10. However the current between the zinc electrode and the iron container is believed to be very small on account of polarization of the latter. The main current is between the zinc and carbon electrodes and the current generated by the cell normally flows between the Zinc and carbon electrodes within the cell and between terminals 31 and 30 outside of the cell.

Two anodes 21.and 22, which are identical, are positioned in the container 10 so that one is on each side of the cathode 18. These anodes are cast of zinc containing about 1% of mercury. To prevent undue reduction in eiective area during cell discharge they are preferably thicker at the top than at the bottom. Also, they are slightly wider than the cathode 18 so theyextend past it a short distance, and they are positionedin the container 10 so they extend downward a short distance below the bottom of the cathode. Y

Each of the anodes 21 and 22 is provided with a boss 23 at the center of the upper edge in which a suspension bolt 24 is either threaded or cast so it extends upward. These suspension bolts may be `iron, copper plated and amalgamated according to the usual practice in battery cells of this type. Surrounding each suspension bolt -24 above its associated anode is an insulator 25 of rubber or porcelain having a shoulder on the upper end tting in an opening in the cover 13 through which the bolt 24 extends upward. A nut 28 on the upper end of each suspension bolt 24 clamps an iron washer 27 and a rubber gasket 26 to the upper side of the cover 13 thereby rigidly securing each of the anodes 21 and 22 tothe cover 13. An'electrical conductor 29, such as an insulated copper wire, is also secured under each of the nuts 28 for the purpose of electrically connecting the anodes 21 and 22, and a suitable wire connector such as a spring clip 30 is also secured under one of the nuts 28, and another spring clip 31 is attached to the top of the container 10 by any suitable method such as soldering or welding to provide convenient means for connecting conductors to the two electrical poles of thebattery cell.

An opening 32I is formed in the cover 13 to provide means for lling the cell with electrolyte. and the edge 33 of the opening' 32 is turned upward to provide a stable support for a removable closure plugor cork 34.

Extending across the container 10 just belowV the battery elements 18, 21 and 22, is a trough shaped, sheet iron support and brace 35 having two attaching members 36 turned downward at` an angle' from each end and secured to the inner wall of the container 10 by any suitable method such as spot or fusion welding thereby rigidly securing the support 35 to the container 10. Resting in the trough shaped support 35 with one of its corners uppermost is a square insulator 37 of any suitable material such as hard rubber or porcelain of sufficient length to extend across the container 10 so one of its ends rests against each of the side walls which prevent the insulator from shifting endwise in the support 35.

Extending across the two upper sides of the square insulators 37 a at bottomed groove 38 is provided, and on the under-side of each of the anodes 21 and 22 a V shaped notch 39 is provided.

The width of each of the grooves 38 is substantially that of one of the anodes 21 and 22, and the shape of the bottom of each ofthe grooves 38 is substantially that of the bottom of each of the notches 39. The insulator 37 is positioned in the container 10 so the bottom of one of the notches 39 is substantially in contact with the bottom of one of the grooves 38 and, consequently, a portion of the insulator 37 extends or fits into each of the notches 39 of the anodes 21 and 22, and a portion of each ofthe anodes 21 and 22 extends or ts into one of the grooves 38 of the insulator 37. By this unique arrangement of the interitting portions of the anodes 21 and 22 and thetinsulator 37, the anodes are rigidly supported at the bottom thereof and also restrained from movement with relation to the container 10 and cathode 18. Between the grooves 38 of the insulator 37 a horizontal slot 40 is provided into which the lower end of the cathode projects and by which the cathode is protected from lateral strains and is also restrained from lateral movement. By supporting the anode and cathode elements of the battery at the bottom a structurels secured that is sufficiently rigid to permit shipping the battery cells in completely assembled condition without their becoming damaged during transportation.

The mechanical construction of the battery cell is completed by filling the top of the container 10 above the cover 13 with a sealing compound 41 of pitch or other suitable material. The sealing compound 41 closes all openings that may remain between the container 10 and the cover 13, and between the cover 13 and the cathode 18. The nuts and washers on the upper end of the suspension bolts 24 are completely covered by the sealing material thereby closing all joints between them and the cover, as well as preventing their movement or displacement. is also covered and imbedded in the compound thereby insulating it from electrical contact. Theupper end of the cathode 18 is not covered by the sealing compound 41 but instead it projects upward therethrough to the outer air thereby providing access for the oxygen required for depolarization.

The battery cell may be yiilled with any suitable electrolyte such as a 20% solution of caustic soda and then moved or transported without danger of leakage or spillage. Preferably, a hydrated caustic soda such as that described in U. S. patent application bearing Serial Number 281,459 (now Patent'No. 1,863,791, granted June 21, 1932) is placed in the cell in solid form at the time of manufacture, and then water is added at the time the cell is placed in use and the solution stirred in the manner disclosed-in U. S. patent application bearing Serial Number 282,315 (now Patent No. 1,815,508, granted July 21, 1931).

'I'his prevents all deterioration of the unused,

cell.

While it is intended that the cell will be used in an' upright position it may, nevertheless, be tipped over or even turned upside down without spilling the electrolyte.

When in use air enters through the exposed portion of the cathode and provides the oxygen required for depolarization but, as the cathode is substantially waterproof, this exposed portion vremains dryand the evaporation of electrolyte therethrough if any isv of such a small amount that it in no way interferes with the operation of the cell or the length of its normal life.

It is understood, of course, that Various changes, alterations, and substitutions, may be made in the battery cell without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of the rights thereunder.

I claim:

1. An air depolarized battery cell comprising a container; a metallic cover having upturned edges secured to the top of said container; a fluid electrolyte in'said container; an anode secured to said cover but electrically insulated therefrom and extending downward into said electrolyte; a cathode mechanically and electrically connected to said cover and extending both downward into said electrolyte and upward through said cover into the outer air; and a material filling said cover and sealing said container against the spillage of said electrolyte.

2. An air depolarized battery cell comprising a container; a metallic cover set into the top of said container; a fluid electrolyte in said container; a 'seal inthe top of said container to prevent the spillage of said electrolyte; an anode secured to said cover and extending ydownward into said electrolyte; opposed ears bent downward from said cover thereby 'leaving an opening therein; a cathode secured to said ears and extending both downwardy into said electrolyte and upward through said opening and said seal into the outer air.

3. An air depolarized battery cell comprising a container; a iiuid electrolyte in said container; a cover set in the top of said container; sealing means in the top of said container to prevent the spillage of said electrolyte; an anode in contact with said electrolyte and secured to said lcover; a cathode in contact with said electrolyte and secured to said cover through which it extends to the outer air; an opening through said cover and seal for adding fluid to said electrolyte; and a removable closure for said opening.

4. An air depolarized battery cell comprising` a container; the dry ingredients of a fluid electrolyte within said container; a cover for said container; means for sealing said cover to said container to prevent spillage of uid from said battery cell; an anode within said container and secured to said cover ;4 a cathode within said con'- tainer and secured to said cover through which it projects upward to the outer air; means for attaching `conductors to said anode and said cathode; an opening through said cover and seal for filling said container with uid to activate said cell, and a removable closure for said opening.

5. An air depolarized battery cell comprising a container having internal beads near the upper edge thereof; a cover for said container tting in the top thereof and resting on said beads; a fluid electrolyte in said container; sealing means filling the top of said container above said cover to prevent the spillage of said electrolyte; an anode within said container and secured to said cover by means partially imbedded in said sealing means; a cathode within said container and secured to said cover through which it extends upward through said sealing means to the outer air; means for adding iluid to said electrolyte and means for connecting electric conductors to said anode and sai-d cathode.

6. An'air depolarized battery cell comprising a container; the dry ingredients of a uid electrolyte within said container; a cover set in the top of said container; sealing means in the top of said container to prevent spillage of fluid from said battery cell; an anode within said container;

a cathode within said container and secured to said cover through whichl it extends to the outer air; an opening through said cover and seal for filling said container with fluid to activate said cell; and a removable closure for said opening.

GEORGE W.. HEISE. 

